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Nigella Christmas & Giveaway

I didn’t realize Nigella had a Christmas Cookbook until I read Jain’s delicious review last year at Food for Thought~ it immediately went on my wish list! There is plenty to please and tempt your tastebuds to celebrate the holiday season~ from cocktails & appetizers, stress-free suppers, edible gifts to the Christmas day feast!

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“Christmas is a time for family and friends, for tradition and treats. But, let’s face it, when the pressure to feed and entertain builds up, the festive season can begin to lose its sparkle… That’s where Nigella comes in. With her no-nonsense approach, her inspirational ideas and empathy for the practical realities of the season – combined here with reliable easy-to-follow recipes and reassuring advice about planning and cooking ahead – Nigella Christmas is guaranteed to bring comfort and joy and make sure the season of good will stays that way.”

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“Here is everything you could wish for to make your life and your Christmas easy and enjoyable: from party canapés, cocktails and manageable mass catering to sumptuous Christmas cakes and puddings; from no-fuss brunch to quick and easy homemade presents (chutneys, preserves and other delectable standbys) and edible tree-decorations. There are mouth-watering recipes with a seasonal twist and simple menus for feeding friends over the extended holiday season with minimum stress and maximum enjoyment.”

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I wanted to share some Holiday Cookbook love and giveaway a copy of Nigella Christmas~ although is late for your cooking and entertaining plans this season, this book is one I’m happy to have at my fingertips for future reference and certainly puts me in the Christmas Spirit with its beautiful photographs and presentation!

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I’m also happy to say that Food for Thought is starting back in January with pre-selected books to review throughout the year! If you’d like to join in the fun, you can email Jain or myself for a list of books to review and dates. It will be fun reading with a playful purpose again :)

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I went to the baking section for a little Christmas cookie inspiration for an annual cookie exchange and found two different recipes to try. . .

Christmas Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate shortbread cookies that are a “doddle” to make :)

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Cookie Ingredients

❄ 2 1/2 sticks (18 tablespoons) soft butter

❄ 3/4 cup sugar

❄ 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

❄ 2 cups all-purpose flour

❄ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

❄ 1 teaspoon baking powder

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Festive Topping Ingredients

❄ 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

❄ 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar

❄ 1/4 cup boiling water

❄ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

❄ candy sprinkles/nonpareils

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Preheat oven to 350°F & line a cookie sheet with parchment.

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Sift 1/3 cup cocoa powder into the mixture and beat well. Sift together flour, baking soda and baking powder, and add to mixture. Or just put everything in a food processor and “blitz” :) if you prefer.

Form 1 tablespoon sized balls. Place on cookie sheet at least 2″ apart, pressing down into fat discs.

Bake 15 minutes. The tops will develop a cracked appearance. Cool 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until completely cooled.

For the topping, combine cocoa powder with confectioners’ sugar, boiling water and vanilla in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat and whisk until smooth. Cool 10 minutes.

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of glaze on each cookie, spreading lightly with the back of the spoon, then sprinkle with nonpareils. Work with 6 cookies at a time so the glaze doesn’t dry out before applying the sprinkles.

❄ Makes approx. 24 cookies ❄

Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies

“…even if you are not usually a white chocolate eater, you will, I think, find these persuasive, perhaps even having to eat a second one straightaway just to make perfectly sure.”

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Ingredients

❄ 1 cup all-purpose flour

❄ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

❄ 1/2 teaspoon salt

❄ 1 cup quick-cooking oats

❄ 9 tablespoons (1 stick plus 1 tablespoon) soft butter

❄ 1/2 cup dark brown sugar

❄ 1/2 cup sugar

❄ 1 large egg

❄ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

❄ 1/2 cup dried cranberries

❄ 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped

❄ 3/4 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and oats. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter and sugars. Beat until smooth. Add egg and vanilla, and mix again.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls, and place them 1 1/2 inches apart on baking sheets. Press each ball gently with a fork to flatten it into a fat disk. Place sheets in oven on two racks. Bake just until cookies are pale gold, about 15 minutes; they will still be soft when hot. Let cookies harden on sheet for 5 minutes, remove to cool on a wire rack.

❄ Makes approx. 30 cookies ❄

I did find these persuasive enough to eat a second cookie straightaway :)

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Although I decided an additional drizzle of my remaining my white chocolate chips might be in order :)

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If you’d like a chance to win Nigella Christmas, mention in a comment you’d like to add it to your cookbook collection!

A winner will be chosen Monday, December 19th.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

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“Practical yet inspiring, full of delicious, easy-to-follow recipes and reassuring advice, Nigella Christmas takes the stress out of the festive season and puts back the joy.”

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The winner of a copy of The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree is Kathi Layfield!

Oh, Mary,
You know I collect cookbooks, and I don’t have one of Nigella’s. Please count me in your giveaway. I’d love to review cookbooks, too. I may have to make those white chocolate and cranberry cookies because they look so delicious!

jackie

December 15, 2011 at 9:34 am

I enjoy watching Nigella’s show and I would love to have her cookbook in my collection. Thanks for a wonderful giveaway.

Thanks for the great idea about decorating the chocolate cookies. I was going to make them and now they can be festive!

I am in awe as to how you have time to do all you do. The poinsettia is amazing and so pretty. Will tuck that thought away. I am expecting my whole family for a week beginning the 20th so I will be away from the blogging world.

Mary, I appreciate your friendship and wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope it is truly special this year.

Would love this cook book.. Thanks for chance! The white chocolate cranberry cookies will be made this weekend.. thanks for entertaining us so beautifully throughout the year.. Merry Christmas, xo marlis

I would love to have a copy of Nigella’s book to add to my cook book collection! Thanks for the chance! I’m baking cookies today with my daughter and we will be trying the Christmas Chocolate cookies, they look so festive! Merry Christmas!

Pondside

December 15, 2011 at 11:39 am

That would be a fine addition to the cookbook shelf and one I’d love to win! I’ve done little baking as yet, but just the photos you’ve posted have been inspiring enough to get me to put some butter on the counter to soften!

Mary L

December 15, 2011 at 1:53 pm

I love Nigella and I love cookbooks, this one looks fabulous. Great giveaway, thanks!
Merry Christmas!

I am an absolute nut for buying up new holiday cookbooks and about every holiday magazine that hits the newsstands. Sadly, though, I never really get to give them a good look until after the holidays. No matter, I just figure that I’m planning early for next year. I’d love to win this book, and please add my name to the list of people who want to know what books are being read for Food for Thought.

Carolyn

December 15, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Merry Christmas! and thank you for the generous offer (possibly) of a copy of Nigella’s Christmas Cookbook. Other than the beauty of the book, the words “easy” caught my attention!

Happier Than A Pig in Mud

December 15, 2011 at 7:12 pm

The cookies sound great Mary! I’m happy FFT is starting back up, I know how much you enjoyed it. Happy Holidays:@)

Those white chocolate and cranberry cookies are calling my name. Hmm, it looks like I hab better put a lot of butter out to soften because as soon as I finish that recipe I will have to make the chocolate shortbread cookies. If I wasn’t down with the flu I would make some tonight but it looks like I will have to wait until the weekend. Can I wait?…I’m not so sure!
I love cook books and would love to add this to my collection.
I thought of you today because I suggested The Peach Keeper to a friend who was looking for something “different” to read.
I can see you have the Christmas spirit and have been enjoying decorating. It’s always such a pleasure to visit your posts.

bichonpawz

December 16, 2011 at 2:56 am

Your cookies always look so perfectly scrumptious!!! Now I am starving! Of course….I have a six pound tin of chocolates that was just delivered…but I refuse to eat one….not now!!! Perhaps I will try baking some of these cookies!! Great recipes Mary! Thanks for sharing!!

Clare

December 16, 2011 at 8:03 am

What a treat to read these great recipes this morning! I didn’t even have time to read yesterday and this is just the inspiration I needed to settle down, enjoy the season and bake! Thank you for a lovely way to start the day!

It all looks incredible — especially those white chocolate and cranberry cookies with the drizzles. Yum!!! Is it bad to confess that I don’t know Nigella’s cookbooks? If this is from cooking shoes, I probably don’t watch the right channels. If I should know her from reading the right blogs, I’m obviously reading the wrong blogs!!!!! I think I need this cookbook and an introduction.

Goodness, Mary! Both of your cookie plates look absolutely delicious!! I’m all for drizzling twice too!! ;0) Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway, it would be wonderful to add such a beautiful book to my cookbook shelf! Wishing you a fabulous Christmas!

Love Nigella and her recipes. How do you have time to cook? Your boat life looks like it is a floating party, certainly a place to relax and gaze into the waters and day dream. Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas. ~CJ